Our entire team shares a common philosophy: to approach all of our efforts with the idea of pure service or 'seva'; to share only what we know to be true because we have experienced it deep within ourselves; and to teach as much as possible by example, letting the way we live reflect the greater truths that we work to impart.
As a result of birth, heritage, or extended residency, we all consider Asia home; thus we are able to offer a distinctive eastern flavor in our programs. Our ability to convey the wisdom, traditions, subtleties and perspectives from this region of the world is a result of both a long immersion in, and a deep connection to, Asia's vast spiritual wealth.
Simone MacKay
director & yoga teacher
Simone MacKay, director of the School of Sacred Arts, was raised and educated in Switzerland, later graduating with a degree in social work in her home country of Canada. After years of serving as a counselor specializing in women's issues, Simone began her yogic journey with a Yoga Arts training in Australia. Initially inspired by Ashtanga, she moved on to study Vinyasa Flow, Yin Yoga, and yoga therapy while teaching throughout the greater Asian realm.
Upon establishing residency in Indonesia, she founded SOSA and has been leading yoga teacher trainings, retreats and workshops in Japan, Bali, Thailand, and Switzerland.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT200, RYT500
www.schoolofsacredarts.net www.yogaessenz.com
director & yoga teacher
Simone MacKay, director of the School of Sacred Arts, was raised and educated in Switzerland, later graduating with a degree in social work in her home country of Canada. After years of serving as a counselor specializing in women's issues, Simone began her yogic journey with a Yoga Arts training in Australia. Initially inspired by Ashtanga, she moved on to study Vinyasa Flow, Yin Yoga, and yoga therapy while teaching throughout the greater Asian realm.
Upon establishing residency in Indonesia, she founded SOSA and has been leading yoga teacher trainings, retreats and workshops in Japan, Bali, Thailand, and Switzerland.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT200, RYT500
www.schoolofsacredarts.net www.yogaessenz.com
Troy McFadden
co-founder & yoga teacher
Based in SE Asia for over 12 years, Troy established The Sanctuary Resort's Spa and Wellness Centre in Southern Thailand in 1998 and a Bikram's Yoga College of India in the US in 2002. After training in Vipassana meditation during several intensive retreats in Buddhist monasteries, Troy became a registered counselor, facilitating groups and individuals through fasting, cleansing, and detox programs.
Currently employed as a consultant for wellness centers in Bali and Costa Rica, a writer for such publications as Yoga Journal, and an actor in feature films, Troy teaches at yoga teacher trainings, retreats, and workshops in Japan, Bali, and throughout the world with the School of Sacred Arts.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200
www.schoolofsacredarts.net
co-founder & yoga teacher
Based in SE Asia for over 12 years, Troy established The Sanctuary Resort's Spa and Wellness Centre in Southern Thailand in 1998 and a Bikram's Yoga College of India in the US in 2002. After training in Vipassana meditation during several intensive retreats in Buddhist monasteries, Troy became a registered counselor, facilitating groups and individuals through fasting, cleansing, and detox programs.
Currently employed as a consultant for wellness centers in Bali and Costa Rica, a writer for such publications as Yoga Journal, and an actor in feature films, Troy teaches at yoga teacher trainings, retreats, and workshops in Japan, Bali, and throughout the world with the School of Sacred Arts.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200
www.schoolofsacredarts.net
Uma Inder
tantric sciences of yoga, ayurveda & dance
Uma teaches yoga in the Kundalini Tantra tradition. She dances in the classical Odissi tradition. She consults in the Ayurvedic tradition. All disciplines are tantric in nature, and celebrate the human body as a universal treasure map.
Uma has over 20 years in yoga teaching experience. She is a licensed Ayurvedic practitioner, specializing in self-empowerment. Her current practice draws from the teachings and transmission of Shakta Tantra, the 'mother of yoga'. Uma offers both esoteric and practical tools for a transformative and therapeutic yogic lifestyle.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500
For a deeper understanding of Uma's gifts, please visit www.yogawithuma.com
tantric sciences of yoga, ayurveda & dance
Uma teaches yoga in the Kundalini Tantra tradition. She dances in the classical Odissi tradition. She consults in the Ayurvedic tradition. All disciplines are tantric in nature, and celebrate the human body as a universal treasure map.
Uma has over 20 years in yoga teaching experience. She is a licensed Ayurvedic practitioner, specializing in self-empowerment. Her current practice draws from the teachings and transmission of Shakta Tantra, the 'mother of yoga'. Uma offers both esoteric and practical tools for a transformative and therapeutic yogic lifestyle.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500
For a deeper understanding of Uma's gifts, please visit www.yogawithuma.com
Randall O'Leary
yoga teacher
Randall O'Leary aka Ram Giri Baba has practiced and taught both Hatha and Jnana Yoga for nearly 20 years. Beginning his studies in the Iyengar tradition in 1991, he later apprenticed with esteemed ViniYoga teacher Gary Kraftsow in Hawaii before developing his own style and approach, ultimately completing his advanced teacher training with Louisa Sears at Yoga Arts in Byron Bay, Australia.
After years spent studying with the sadhus of Northern India, he eventually took diksha (initiation) as a sadhu of the Giri Sampradaya sangha, living the simple life of the renunciate while learning to read, write and speak both Sanskrit and Hindi.
Director of Yoga at The Sanctuary Spa and Wellness Centre in southern Thailand since 1995, Randall holds workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings throughout the US, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500
please visit: www.jungleyoga.net
yoga teacher
Randall O'Leary aka Ram Giri Baba has practiced and taught both Hatha and Jnana Yoga for nearly 20 years. Beginning his studies in the Iyengar tradition in 1991, he later apprenticed with esteemed ViniYoga teacher Gary Kraftsow in Hawaii before developing his own style and approach, ultimately completing his advanced teacher training with Louisa Sears at Yoga Arts in Byron Bay, Australia.
After years spent studying with the sadhus of Northern India, he eventually took diksha (initiation) as a sadhu of the Giri Sampradaya sangha, living the simple life of the renunciate while learning to read, write and speak both Sanskrit and Hindi.
Director of Yoga at The Sanctuary Spa and Wellness Centre in southern Thailand since 1995, Randall holds workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings throughout the US, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500
please visit: www.jungleyoga.net
Tina Nance
yoga teacher
Director of Alchemystic YogaDance and trained in both Yogic and Taoist/Chinese modalities, Yin Yoga specialist Tina has taught Yoga and movement meditation for the past decade throughout the globe, sharing her passion for healing and the interconnectedness of Body/Mind and Spirit.
please visit: www.alchemysticyogadance.com
yoga teacher
Director of Alchemystic YogaDance and trained in both Yogic and Taoist/Chinese modalities, Yin Yoga specialist Tina has taught Yoga and movement meditation for the past decade throughout the globe, sharing her passion for healing and the interconnectedness of Body/Mind and Spirit.
please visit: www.alchemysticyogadance.com
Cat Kabira
yoga teacher
Combining her studies with Anna Forrest with other yoga masters, healers and shamans around the world, Cat now offers her personal interpretation of Forrest Yoga along with meditation and energy work during her classes. After overcoming great personal challenges through her practice, she is able to serve in a healing capacity for all of her students.
Her philosophy is simple: be real, be you, be here, be now, connect with your core, stay in your power, and do not stray.
More information: www.catkabira.com
yoga teacher
Combining her studies with Anna Forrest with other yoga masters, healers and shamans around the world, Cat now offers her personal interpretation of Forrest Yoga along with meditation and energy work during her classes. After overcoming great personal challenges through her practice, she is able to serve in a healing capacity for all of her students.
Her philosophy is simple: be real, be you, be here, be now, connect with your core, stay in your power, and do not stray.
More information: www.catkabira.com
Geoffrey Blaisdell
vedic sanskrit & vedic chanting
Combining his deep knowledge of Yoga with his background as a Broadway actor, Geoffrey teaches with great clarity, precision, and expressiveness. Having studied Vedic Sanskrit and Vedic chanting for over 20 years with such teachers as Vyass Houston (of the American Sanskrit Institute in New York City), Swami Vagishananda Sarasvati (Bali) and Swami Guhatmananda (Rishikesh), Geoffrey shares his love of these aspects of Yoga in his introductory presentation with one primary intention: ‘to plant the seeds of inquiry in the minds of the thirsty’.
vedic sanskrit & vedic chanting
Combining his deep knowledge of Yoga with his background as a Broadway actor, Geoffrey teaches with great clarity, precision, and expressiveness. Having studied Vedic Sanskrit and Vedic chanting for over 20 years with such teachers as Vyass Houston (of the American Sanskrit Institute in New York City), Swami Vagishananda Sarasvati (Bali) and Swami Guhatmananda (Rishikesh), Geoffrey shares his love of these aspects of Yoga in his introductory presentation with one primary intention: ‘to plant the seeds of inquiry in the minds of the thirsty’.
Bex Tyrer
yoga teacher
With a background in political science and development, Bex works around the world with children and young people who live in war, occupation and in extreme poverty.
Having studied yoga throughout her journey, she first trained as a yoga teacher in Dharamsala, India. Her belief in a common humanity is reflected through her original yoga classes where she shares lessons learned while building upon inspirational themes of cooperation, peace and justice. She works to bring yoga off the mat and into the practice of Life.
yoga teacher
With a background in political science and development, Bex works around the world with children and young people who live in war, occupation and in extreme poverty.
Having studied yoga throughout her journey, she first trained as a yoga teacher in Dharamsala, India. Her belief in a common humanity is reflected through her original yoga classes where she shares lessons learned while building upon inspirational themes of cooperation, peace and justice. She works to bring yoga off the mat and into the practice of Life.
Patrick O’Connor
fasting and cleansing guide and instructor
After a powerful, spontaneous awakening in June of 2000, Patrick’s path of self-discovery has led to serving as a spiritual guide during this time of transformation. Workshop Facilitator, Certified Hypnotherapist, Registered Yoga Instructor, NLP practitioner & Master Life Coach, he feels incredibly blessed assisting others in awakening to higher consciousness through the purification of their bodies and minds.
fasting and cleansing guide and instructor
After a powerful, spontaneous awakening in June of 2000, Patrick’s path of self-discovery has led to serving as a spiritual guide during this time of transformation. Workshop Facilitator, Certified Hypnotherapist, Registered Yoga Instructor, NLP practitioner & Master Life Coach, he feels incredibly blessed assisting others in awakening to higher consciousness through the purification of their bodies and minds.
Sky
yoga teacher
Sky is dedicated to living a life of yoga, and for 19 years has studied and taught several forms of yoga, always coming back to the simple and deep principles in tradition of classical Hatha Yoga. Sky has studied Vedas and Ayurveda for the last 9 years with Swami Vagishananda and Swami Dayananda, giving a good grounding in the purpose and practices of Yoga as a way of achieving balance, harmony and total fulfillment in this life.
His classes are always spontaneous and deeply honoring of his students. Taught with relaxed passion, humor and clear understanding of the poses and their benefits, one finds his unique classes inspiring and rewarding.
Sky leads teacher training programs, daily classes and workshops in Yoga and Ayurveda in Sweden and Bali. In Bali he teaches Yoga and Pranayama before most people get out of bed.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500
please visit: www.samayoga.org
yoga teacher
Sky is dedicated to living a life of yoga, and for 19 years has studied and taught several forms of yoga, always coming back to the simple and deep principles in tradition of classical Hatha Yoga. Sky has studied Vedas and Ayurveda for the last 9 years with Swami Vagishananda and Swami Dayananda, giving a good grounding in the purpose and practices of Yoga as a way of achieving balance, harmony and total fulfillment in this life.
His classes are always spontaneous and deeply honoring of his students. Taught with relaxed passion, humor and clear understanding of the poses and their benefits, one finds his unique classes inspiring and rewarding.
Sky leads teacher training programs, daily classes and workshops in Yoga and Ayurveda in Sweden and Bali. In Bali he teaches Yoga and Pranayama before most people get out of bed.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500
please visit: www.samayoga.org
Daphne Tse
special guest - kirtan
Daphne Tse is a soulful singer/songwriter originally from Texas. Since her initial yoga class almost 15 years ago, she has merged her spiritual practice with her contemporary folk singer/songwriter style. She has travelled around the globe sharing her music in Europe, China, South America, North America, Asia and beyond. She studied music at UT in Austin, The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and kirtan music with Jai Uttal. Her music is featured on yoga music compilations and DVDs with yogini, Shiva Rea. Her newly remastered CD, Mata, was released in 2008.
She is currently living in Bali, Indonesia and is committed to expanding consciousness on the planet through global community events, like The BaliSpirit Festival, focusing on music, yoga, dance and all forms of art that inspire peace in action.
please visit: www.daphnetse.com
special guest - kirtan
Daphne Tse is a soulful singer/songwriter originally from Texas. Since her initial yoga class almost 15 years ago, she has merged her spiritual practice with her contemporary folk singer/songwriter style. She has travelled around the globe sharing her music in Europe, China, South America, North America, Asia and beyond. She studied music at UT in Austin, The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and kirtan music with Jai Uttal. Her music is featured on yoga music compilations and DVDs with yogini, Shiva Rea. Her newly remastered CD, Mata, was released in 2008.
She is currently living in Bali, Indonesia and is committed to expanding consciousness on the planet through global community events, like The BaliSpirit Festival, focusing on music, yoga, dance and all forms of art that inspire peace in action.
please visit: www.daphnetse.com
Adolf Brown
anatomy teacher & holistic chiropractic physician
Dr. Adolf Brown is a practicing Holistic Chiropractic Physician, Founder and President of Gaia Clinic in Tucson Arizona, a holistic health center.
Originally completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Holistic Health, Adolf began his path as healer as a licensed massage therapist in 1983. Drawn toward a deeper understanding of the human body Adolf went on to study Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Kinesiology and Nutrition, all of which he now applies in his unique healing treatments.
Adolf will be teaching the Anatomy and Physiology component of our training, from his perspective of profound respect for the human body as a complex organization of interrelated energy systems.
We are excited to offer each student the benefit of full diagnostic testing with Adolf, using Applied Kineseology to discover imbalances and weaknesses so that ways to compensate and bring the body into greater harmony can be explored.
For more information on the evolution of his genuinely holistic work, please visit: www.gaiaclinic.com
anatomy teacher & holistic chiropractic physician
Dr. Adolf Brown is a practicing Holistic Chiropractic Physician, Founder and President of Gaia Clinic in Tucson Arizona, a holistic health center.
Originally completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Holistic Health, Adolf began his path as healer as a licensed massage therapist in 1983. Drawn toward a deeper understanding of the human body Adolf went on to study Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Kinesiology and Nutrition, all of which he now applies in his unique healing treatments.
Adolf will be teaching the Anatomy and Physiology component of our training, from his perspective of profound respect for the human body as a complex organization of interrelated energy systems.
We are excited to offer each student the benefit of full diagnostic testing with Adolf, using Applied Kineseology to discover imbalances and weaknesses so that ways to compensate and bring the body into greater harmony can be explored.
For more information on the evolution of his genuinely holistic work, please visit: www.gaiaclinic.com
James Newman
yoga/anatomy teacher
A yoga therapist and bodyworker focused on injury recovery, James is certified in the Anusara, Kripalu, and Vinyasa Krama styles.
Since 2005 he has studied extensively with Srivatsa Ramaswami, who was a personal student of Krishnamacharya's for over 30 years. He is also a graduate of the asana sequencing/adaptation program at KYM - the Krishnamacharya family yoga school.
Combining his knowledge of yoga with his work as a Level 5 CranioSacral therapist, James offers a balanced and practical approach to anatomy.
yoga/anatomy teacher
A yoga therapist and bodyworker focused on injury recovery, James is certified in the Anusara, Kripalu, and Vinyasa Krama styles.
Since 2005 he has studied extensively with Srivatsa Ramaswami, who was a personal student of Krishnamacharya's for over 30 years. He is also a graduate of the asana sequencing/adaptation program at KYM - the Krishnamacharya family yoga school.
Combining his knowledge of yoga with his work as a Level 5 CranioSacral therapist, James offers a balanced and practical approach to anatomy.
Eka
Balinese native Eka Sabeh discovered that yoga helped to balance his hectic lifestyle while studying for a Master's degree in communications in the United States under the Fulbright Program, and while working as a broadcaster at the Voice of America in Washington DC.
Returning to Bali to deepen his exploration of yoga, Eka now teaches Hatha and Vinyasa Flow, combined with Balinese tradition and culture, in addition to his role as an administrator and facilitator with the School of Sacred Arts.
With a deep passion for music and singing, Eka regularly performs at local venues, sharing his gift with those fortunate enough see him perform in the Ubud area.
Balinese native Eka Sabeh discovered that yoga helped to balance his hectic lifestyle while studying for a Master's degree in communications in the United States under the Fulbright Program, and while working as a broadcaster at the Voice of America in Washington DC.
Returning to Bali to deepen his exploration of yoga, Eka now teaches Hatha and Vinyasa Flow, combined with Balinese tradition and culture, in addition to his role as an administrator and facilitator with the School of Sacred Arts.
With a deep passion for music and singing, Eka regularly performs at local venues, sharing his gift with those fortunate enough see him perform in the Ubud area.
Dewa
Trustworthy, friendly and loyal, our good friend and professional driver Dewa Alit is available for all of your transport needs while in Bali. A careful, reliable and otherwise extremely competent driver (the importance of which cannot be overstated in Bali), Dewa offers his 21 years of experience, his knowledge of Balinese culture, tradition, and special areas outside of the usual tourist zones, as well as fair, reasonable prices to all SOSA yoga students.
Mobile: (62)(0)8124699691
Email: dewa_alita@yahoo.com
Trustworthy, friendly and loyal, our good friend and professional driver Dewa Alit is available for all of your transport needs while in Bali. A careful, reliable and otherwise extremely competent driver (the importance of which cannot be overstated in Bali), Dewa offers his 21 years of experience, his knowledge of Balinese culture, tradition, and special areas outside of the usual tourist zones, as well as fair, reasonable prices to all SOSA yoga students.
Mobile: (62)(0)8124699691
Email: dewa_alita@yahoo.com
Rie
traveling translator/interpreter
After building up her career as a language specialist in the fields of translation and interpretation for various companies and organizations in Japan as well as Japanese teaching in Brazil, New Zealand and Japan over a 15 years period, Rie became a freelance translator in July 2006.
Since January 2008, she has been practicing a nomadic life, i.e. traveling while working through the Internet, which had been her longtime wish. After NOMADing through the South-East Asia, she has stayed in Ubud, Bali since September 2008. Being fascinated by the Balinese culture and way of life, she intends to stay in Bali for a while.
traveling translator/interpreter
After building up her career as a language specialist in the fields of translation and interpretation for various companies and organizations in Japan as well as Japanese teaching in Brazil, New Zealand and Japan over a 15 years period, Rie became a freelance translator in July 2006.
Since January 2008, she has been practicing a nomadic life, i.e. traveling while working through the Internet, which had been her longtime wish. After NOMADing through the South-East Asia, she has stayed in Ubud, Bali since September 2008. Being fascinated by the Balinese culture and way of life, she intends to stay in Bali for a while.
